Café des Artistes Has Been Resurrected as Leopard des Artistes

April 25, 2011

Diner’s Journal reports that the restaurant, which closed in August 2009 after 92 years of business, has reopened as Leopard des Artistes. This new incarnation is owned by Gianfranco and Paula Bolla Sorrentino, who also own Il Gattopardo on West 54th Street.

Like Il Gattopardo (which means “leopard” in Italian), the Leopard will serve Italian cuisine, specifically that of Southern Italy. There will be lentil and ricotta cakes, Sicilian caponata, oven-roasted dourade, and sardines with wild fennel. And perhaps most importantly, there will be Howard Chandler Christy’s nine murals of naked wood nymphs, restored to their original glory.

Have a tip or restaurant-related news? Send it to fork@villagevoice.com.